juliansmom2003

I don't know what the heck is wrong with me---I thought Beans were completely GROSS before getting the band! Now I can't get enough of them LOL! I have a great QUICK 2-bean chili recipe that I can post too if anyone is interested :-)!

Hiya, I posted this on another thread and received a message for the recipe as well, so I thought I would post this recipe for anyone else who was interested: Crockpot Mexican chicken 16 oz Chicken Breast (boneless,skinless) 2 serving Taco Seasoning, Original 1 can KIDNEY Beans 16 oz Traditional Salsa Mild 8 oz Fat Free Cream cheese Put some salsa in the bottom of the crockpot. Add 2 chicken breasts and sprinkle taco seasoning on them (repeat for the additional layers of chicken). Soften the cream cheese and stir with the remaining salsa and pour over the chicken. Put chili beans on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. (Serves 4) Calories: 300, Fat: 3.5g, Protein: 37 g, Carbs: 32 g Enjoy, from your bandster friend Karen who is still continuing to find different ways to cook a chicken :Banane20:!!

Sure thing. I was thinking I hadn't posted a recipe in awhile, so I might start a new thread with it. Here you go: Crockpot Mexican chicken 16 oz Chicken Breast (boneless,skinless) 2 serving Taco Seasoning, Original 1 can KIDNEY Beans 16 oz Traditional Salsa Mild 8 oz Fat Free Cream cheese Put some salsa in the bottom of the crockpot. Add 2 chicken breasts and sprinkle taco seasoning on them (repeat for the additional layers of chicken). Soften the cream cheese and stir with the remaining salsa and pour over the chicken. Put chili beans on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. Serves 4 Calories: 300, Fat: 3.5g, Protein: 37 g, Carbs: 32 g

You are a complete inspiration to us all!!! Congratulations on all you've accomplished thus far!

I measure about 50% of the time (getting used to doing it on sight now). I usually make enough dinner to bring left overs, so today I am having my Mexican Crockpot chicken and Beans (4 ounces of chicken, 1 oz of beans) along with a cheese stick. YUM! Again, I am always making chicken dishes and am sure to make enough to bring into work for lunches, but if not, I'll make some canned chicken breast with onion and celery with a tomato slice and piece of ff or 2% cheese along with an unsweetened applesauce or piece of fruit. I keep Lean Cuisines in the freezer in case I am having a crazy day and don't have time to make lunch, but those are very rarely eaten due to the high sodium content. Hope this helps!

I am 5 days post-op and I just recently said the words "I love my band" last week. I resented it for quite awhile because I felt like I was doing all the work myself and picking up its slack until I got proper restriction. Now, I'm loving it! Everyone is different and sometimes it takes awhile, but just know the majority of us think of our bands fondly :-)!

I'm a weirdo, so it might not be best to judge by me. I have had 2 fills (total of 4.2 ccs in a 14 cc band). I felt the same way you did with being able to feel Water in your throat, almost like a funnel that had liquid poured into it too fast. It lasted about a week, then it eased up. About 3 weeks after the fill, I actually felt MORE restriction. Now I really need to take small bites, space them out and take my time, as I get stuck quite a bit. It is absolutely bearable now that I recognized what was going on, but initially, it was only a week before I felt looser. Did I help at all? Lol. Sorry for the novel!

I'm right with you, Betsy. One of the requirements the insurance company had was do you have a history of losing not being able to keep it off.... I know that without this band, I wouldn't have had such success losing, but I know that in order to maintain and continue to be successful after achieving goal will be to keep my band as the tool I need to stay here. If I'd like to eat a little more, I may have a slight unfill as a few posters have mentioned, but I don't think I'd ever have it removed or completely unfilled unless it was medically necessary. I have never said this before and now looking on the last few months I can honestly say I LOVE MY BAND!

Down 1 more pound to 173. Hoping I can lose the other 3 before Easter to meet my goal!! Hope everyone is doing well!

I hear you! I had my second fill on 2/25 and it seems now I am really feeling the restriction. I'm so tight that I'm just eating breakfast now. I seem to have problems with a lot of stuff initially, but then I loosen up. I manage to get those calories and the protein in somehow LOL

We don't have one of those where I am. I am so tight in the morning too that even the Protein ends up coming back up. I end up eating breakfast around 11:30 or 12 Noon. I just know I can't get anything down, so what's the point in irritating everything and screwing up my day LOL! Nice to know there are others out there that aren't able to eat in the morning. I'm used to it now, but good to know I'm not the only one.

You sound just like me! I'm a night feeder LOL! I'm barely hungry all day (and eat very healthy), but as soon as I get home--the bad things call my name. Usually I am very tight in the morning too, so I don't eat until the afternoon, but in the evening I am actually able to eat. I am usually really good about making a healthy dinner, but there are times when the kids are eating things that I might want a taste of. Since I consume so little calories during the day, I figure a taste of it won't kill me, as long as it's not every night and it's definitely a bite or two. We are human after all. Try to allow yourself a treat every now and then, but don't make it too much of a habit. When I'm having a really hard time staying away, I just go exercise or clean the house--ANYTHING to get snacking out of my head! Good luck!

Umm, what the heck is up with thedailyplate.com today?!? I have been trying to log on all morning to track calories and stuff and it keeps freezing! Anyone else having this problem? OMG, listen to me--I'm actually miffed that I'm not able to journal! WTH has happened to me? LOL:tongue_smilie:

I am able to eat a 6" Subway (well I was before my second fill--I'm too scared to try now LOL). The key is to go VERY slow and to take VERY small bites when you're dealing with something like that (can't believe I'm actually saying that, but I've had a BAD week with bite sizes and spacing swallows). Good luck! I love me some subway!!!

It's been awhile since I posted any recipes on here. With the weekend coming and me being home and wanting to get into something bad, I think this is something I might try. 104 calories per serving, why not?!? (Courtesy of hungrygirl.com) Bon appetit :-)! Crème Brulee Ingredients: 1/3 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Original Egg Beaters)
 1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
 1/2 cup fat-free half & half
 3 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. brown sugar (not packed)
 1 1/2 tsp. Coffee-mate sugar free French vanilla powdered creamer
 1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
 4 tsp. granulated white sugar Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium pot, combine milk, half & half, and brown sugar. Bring to medium heat on the stove. Stir and cook until the sugar has dissolved and mixture is hot. Stir in the powdered creamer, blending well. Remove from heat. In a large bowl, mix the egg substitute and vanilla extract together. Gradually whisk in the hot milk mixture. Set four 4-ounce baking ramekins or custard cups in a deep baking dish. Evenly distribute the custard mixture into the cups. Carefully pour hot Water into the baking dish, around the cups, being careful not to splash any water into the custard (or on yourself!). The water should come about halfway up the outsides of the custard cups. Carefully transfer pan to the oven, and bake for about 28 minutes, until custards are set. Remove from the oven, allow to cool, and then refrigerate custard cups until completely chilled. Once ready to serve, top each custard cup with 1 tsp. white sugar. Using a hand-held butane kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar (in other words, blast with fire 'til browned). Enjoy! MAKES 4 SERVINGS Serving Size: 1 custard cup Calories: 104 , Fat: 0.5g, Sodium: 126mg
 Carbs: 18.5g
 Fiber: 0g
 Sugars: 17g
 Protein: 4.5g


I'm at 4.2 ccs in a 14 cc band and I have pretty good restriction right now. Let's hear it for the freaks LOL

I really like that tip--I just might try doing that. Leigha--I'm in the same boat as you doll! It's always a learning experience, isn't it?!?

I definitely agree about journaling. It really helps to track everything you're eating. I do it religously every day and as you get used to it, it becomes less of a pain in the tush :-)! Also, I have days where I'm absolutely ravenous (it seems I have peaks and valleys--this week I am sooo tight it is tough to eat while last week, I was starving all the time). When I find I'm eating more calories, I'll do a 1 or 2 mile walk on demand (fitness channel) or hop on the Wii Fit to make up for the extra calories. We are human--and believe me, sometimes you need to treat yourself a tiny bit or if you like me, you'll binge. The good thing about the band is that it should control your portions so you can't eat as much of it. Sometimes I find a taste of something satisfies me more than the quantity. I was really scared this weekend when my husband went through the McDonald's drive through about what I'd do, and I ended up eating 2 of the kids' chicken nuggets...and that was it! I was full! Honestly, I think part of it is the need to feel human in certain situations. I don't ever want to be one to throw a pity party that I can't have anything---it's different if we choose not to. Hang in there. Tomorrow is another day! :-)

Welcome Anne and Bree (and Amy once again). Betsy--I was out in Chicago last year for a meeting--LOVE the architecture (my company had us go through the tour of the harbor--just gorgeous)! Leigha--I hear you about priorities changing. Weird how that happens sometimes. How are things? I have to say I LOVED your wedding pics on FB. Just beautiful, doll! Bob--how many other names do you have?!? LOL Elfie--sad I missed dinner too. Maybe I can invite myself next time ? Christie--what time is/was your fill today? How did it go?!? Liz--good to 'see' you!! (And for the record--I hate that blasted scale myself...most of the time)

I'm an idiot! I've been weighing in on Mondays LOL Anyway, I am down to 174, down 3 from last week. Holy crap! 4 lbs away from my challenge goal of 170!!!! Fingers crossed.....

Christie- LOL! I haven't been called 'hot' in forever, so thanks for the pick me up! Good luck on your fill! Can't wait to hear an update! I too know the feeling of losing a cup size and the need for new bras. It's amazing though what a good one can do for your shape! Bob--Hope your post-op appointment goes well. I know you're an adventerous rebel and all, but give yourself some time to heal! You don't want to risk your recovery by starting on solids too soon. Okay, I'm off my soapbox. Good luck! Amy --Welcome! Glad to have you here! How exciting--one week away! Lots of luck waiting--it will seem like an eternity (it did to me at least!) Glad to be sharing the journey with you! Betsy--whereabouts are you? Only reason I ask is that we too are expecting 60 degree weather (in Philly). Quite a welcome change from the monsoons we've had since Friday :-( Had weigh in last night at group. Weighed in at 174. Need to update my ticker and the Easter Challenge. I have a real shot at hitting 170 by Easter (fingers crossed!!!) Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

Bob---you're such a bada$$ getting kicked off facebook! You rebel you! LOL I accepted your friend request--thanks for requesting me! The gig was AWESOME!!! Everybody had a blast and I actually got hit on quite a bit (shocking since I was working with my husband LOL) Elfie--I just friended you on FB Dottie--Happy birthday!! Betsy--Love the new pic. SO pretty! Leigha--OMG, funny you should mention. I have been having a helluva a time eating these past few days. I have never been one to take small bites ever during this experience but I HAVE to now!!!!! It's all I can do to get through this chili--have to go very slow! Thanks for all your help and advice--you're the best, chica :-)! NSV ALERT! Broke down and went shopping just for a few things (most importantly, an outfit to take my hubby out to dinner in on Friday for his bday). Out of habit, I go right to the plus section and they had absolutely nothing for me! I ended up with 3 pair of black pants and a pair of jeans (ALL SIZE 12!!!!!!--they are a little tight, but my 14s are so baggy I have a case of the saggy a$$ LOL) I know the 12s will ease up soon and of course I ended up with 4 or 5 shirts (sizes L and XL)!!!!!!! OMG, in the dressing room, I cried as usual, but these were truly tears of JOY!!!!!!! I am taking a ton of clothes to support group tonight for the clothing exchange, so I felt I deserved to treat myself to a couple of new things. So much for a few things. Everything looked so nice I had to buy it all. I'm not bragging by any stretch but that NEVER happens and I'm beyond excited!! You guys don't realize how big of a part of my life you are. Your support, advice, just listening when I need to whine and be a baby, and friendship are so integral to my successes, it sometimes pushes me to keep going (even on those bad days when I want to give up!) I love you guys! Thank you all for being there!!! xo Karen

I have the gurgling tummy too--makes for fun meetings lol!! Small trade off for all I'm getting back!

Thank you Cocoa--you're so sweet! I was so excited I ran over to my mom's (she lives nest door) and she started crying --she was so happy and proud! Bob-OUCH!! Getting stuck is the worst!! At least you know the band is there (in case you needed a reminder--what a crappy reminder it is!). Cocoa- I'm being nice to you from now on--I don't need you poking my voodoo doll LOL!

I'm at karen.tilton@richardson.com (Karen Ladzenski Tilton)